Eighth Grade

ConfirmationSeventh and eighth grade Confirmation Class is a two year course in basic Bible teaching. The Bible and Luther's Small Catechism are our textbooks, and the pastors team teach the classes using a combination of lecture, group discussion, faith formation essays, memorization, and provocative stories to prepare young adults for meaningful membership in the Lutheran Church and for Godly living in the real world.LiteratureThe sixth, seventh, and eighth grades use the Prentice Hall literature series. The students are introduced to several literary genres including short stories, drama, non-fiction, poetry, oral tradition, and novels. The students analyze story development such as character, setting, plot, and theme.EnglishEnglish is grammar instruction including the review of parts of speech, sentence structure, capitalization and punctuation rules, as well as usage and mechanics. The writing process will also be reviewed and used through the year. Types of writing may include a research paper, short stories, and poetry.SpellingStudents work to improve both their spelling and vocabulary as they are led to see spelling patterns and build on basic word roots using affixes and word endings. Spelling generalizations and skills such as syllabication, vowel relationships, and consonant relationships are reviewed along with dictionary and thesaurus skills to strengthen spelling skills.MathStudents will be able to read, write, compare, classify and represent real numbers and use them to solve problems. They will distinguish between linear and non-linear functions and represent them in table and graphs and be able to solve real-world problems using these concepts. They will be able to generate equivalent numerical and algebraic expressions and use the algebraic concepts to evaluate the expressions. Students will practice basic geometry and measurement skills involving Pythagorean Theorem and be able to solve problems with parallel and perpendicular lines on coordinate systems. They will use scatterplots and approximate lines to interpret data. They will be able to use the concepts they are learning to solve real-world problems. The students will use the textbook Algebra, by Holt McDougal, copyright 2007.ScienceStudents will study basic Earth Science with an emphasis on understanding the process of scientific inquiry. Students be able to identify Earth’s composition, structure and processes, the impact humans have on the environment and how the atmosphere intereacts with earth systems, including weather, climate and water systems. They will compare objects in the solar system and explain their interactions with the Earth and describe the structure of the universe. They will appreciate the immensity and wonder of God’s creation. They will have a basic understanding of theories about the beginnings of the universe know the biblical and factual beginning of the Earth and the rest of God’s creation. Text book used for this course is Earth Science, by Holt, Rinehart, Winston with a copyright of 2007.United States HistoryStudents need to see that our country’s history is an on-going chain of events, one which began long before Europeans came to this continent, and has continued to the present day. History is a "living" subject, alive through the thoughts, words, and actions of both indigenous people and immigrants. They will be shown through their studies that actions of an individual or a small group can have lasting consequences on the history of this country.TechnologyStudents will increase understanding and practical skills in the areas of general technology awareness and vocabulary, keyboarding skills, word processing, creative programming, including paint and digital picture programs like Microsoft Powerpoint, and databases. Students will complete projects that help them acquire both concepts and practical application of the concepts related to using technology both in the school setting and in real life.ArtArtistic ability is either a natural gift or a learned ability. The students will have the opportunity to learn different techniques in a variety of mediums. They will be able to work with watercolors, acrylics, colored pencils, chalks, and charcoal.ChoirThe Junior High Choir is for students in sixth through eighth grades. Its main purpose is to provide glory to God through singing together while providing musical enjoyment and growth in vocal technique. The Junior High Choir sings at scheduled church services and the Christmas service.BandStudents in seventh and eighth grade are able to be in band. The band class and lessons are provided by the JWP band director. Band students gain deeper musical understanding through the study of theory and performance. Emphasis is placed on tone quality, scale memorization, rhythm recognition, and musical interpretation. The students are exposed to increasingly challenging music as they progress through band. Generally, two concerts are offered each year, one in the fall and one in the spring.Physical EducationDeveloping and refining locomotor skills and object control is ongoing at this level. Use of a variety of sports and activities help this development. Activities to build students’ strength, endurance, flexibility, and power lay a ground work for physical fitness. Using various team, individual, and dual sports as units of instruction, a number of things can be taught. The rules of the game are taught not only to those looking to play at a higher level, but also to those who will choose to watch and enjoy the game as spectators. Social and personal skills are being worked on at this level. We will build on cooperation and leadership, integrity, respect, fair play, initiative, responsibility, effort, self-discipline, and decision-making. Students are given the opportunity to qualify for the Presidential and National fitness awards and are encouraged to view fitness in terms of lifelong activities and fun.